To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received a formal extradition request for Senator Pinochet via diplomatic channels. [59966]

I received a formal request for the extradition of Senator Pinochet from the Spanish Government on 11 November 1998. The request was submitted through diplomatic channels.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he proposes to make any changes to the authority responsible for making arrangements for the classification of video works under the Video Recordings Act 1984; and if he will make a statement. [59967]

I have today laid before both Houses details of my proposal to designate Lord Taylor of Warwick and Ms Janet Lewis Jones under section 4(4) of the Video Recordings Act 1984. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) earlier today announced their intention to appoint Lord Taylor and Janet Lewis Jones, subject to Parliamentary approval of the designation under section 4(4), as their Vice-Presidents. I propose to designate them, in that capacity, to replace Monica Sims.I have placed in the Library a copy of my designation proposal and the text of the letters 1 intend to send at the time of designation to Lord Taylor and Janet Lewis Jones.I believe that Lord Taylor and Janet Lewis Jones have the necessary understanding of the issues relating to the responsibility of a designated authority and I expect them, along with the President, Andreas Whittam Smith, to provide strong leadership for the BBFC.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the number of convicted murderers who (a) have served and been released and (b)who are in prison and expect to serve (i) less than their tariff, (ii) their tariff and (iii) a period greater than their tariff; and in the latter case, what was the median period by which their period served exceeded their tariff. [59399]

The readily available information relates to all life sentence prisoners, both mandatory and discretionary. No such prisoner can expect to be released on licence before the expiry of the tariff, which is the period deemed necessary to be spent in custody to meet the requirements of retribution and deterrence.Of the 265 life sentence prisoners released between April 1996 and October 1998, three were released on tariff expiry, 90 within one year of tariff expiry and 172 more than one year after tariff expiry. The information required to calculate the median period for the latter could be obtained only by examining individual prisoners' records.In his announcement of 9 July 1998,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convicted murderers have, in the past 12 months, been set tariffs of (a) four, (b) five, (c) six,(d) seven, (e) eight, (f) nine, (g) 10, (h) 11, (i) 12, (j) 13, (k) 14, (1) 15, (m) 16, (n) 17, (o) 18, (p) 19, (q) 20 and (r) over 20 years. [59415]

The number of convicted murderers for whom a tariff was set for the first time in the period 1 November 1997 to 31 October 1998 (inclusive) was 315. The tariffs are broken down by length in the table.

Tariff length in years	Number of murderers
4	0
5	0
6	0
7	2
8	11
9	9
10	36
11	16
12	54
13	29
14	42
15	41
16	21
17	8
18	14
19	2
20	22
over 20	8
Total	315

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department against how many persons action was commenced as alleged illegal immigrants in (i) 1996, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 1998; and how many persons were (a) detained as a result of such action and (b) removed as illegal immigrants, broken down by country of origin. [59201]

The numbers of persons against whom enforcement action was initiated under sections 3(5), 3(6) or 33(1) of the Immigration Act 1971 is given in tables 5.1 (Total enforcement action), 5.2 (Illegal entrants) and 5.3 (Deportation action) of the Home Office statistical bulletin "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom, First Half 1998", issue 24/98. Copies of this publication are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) civilians and (b) police officers of what rank, are employed in the civil and administration support units of the Sussex police. [59461]

I understand from the Chief Constable of Sussex that there are 185 civilian staff employed in Administration Support Units, known by the Sussex Police as Criminal Justice Support Units (CJSUs). Seven police officers of inspector rank oversee Sussex's multi-skilled units, of which the CJSUs form a part. The inspectors also have other responsibilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals to immigration adjudicators were (a) allowed, (b) dismissed and (c) withdrawn in the first and second quarters of 1998, broken down by category of appeal and nationality; and what were the figures for 1997. [58745]

Information regarding the outcome of appeals to the immigration adjudicators, by category and nationality for 1997, is given in table 8.1 of the Home Office report "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 1997" (CM4033), a copy of which is in the Library.I regret that the same information for the first two quarters of 1998 is not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been claimed under the Firearms Compensation Scheme; and how much has been paid out to date. [59213]

At 6 November 1998, payments totalling £61 million had been made to 49,300 claimants under the compensation schemes for large and small-calibre handguns. The value of the remaining claims cannot be determined until they have been examined in detail. I outlined the measures we are taking to speed the processing of these compensation claims in my reply to a written question from the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 28 October 1998, Official Report, columns 179-80.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Mr. J. P. Cooch of Newton Preston will receive his final payment for the confiscation of his handgun in August 1997 following his letter of 1 November. [59266]

The Option A and B elements of the claim were paid on 16 January 1998. The Option C element of the claim, which will require individual consideration of the evidence of value provided, will be dealt with as soon as possible. I outlined the measures that we are taking to speed the processing of these compensation claims in my reply to a question from the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 28 October 1998, Official Report, columns 179-80.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to restrict (a) the sale and (b) the use of devices to detect the presence of police enforcement radar at the road-side. [58831]

Tests by Government scientists on these devices show that they are largely unreliable and ineffective and that, where they do alert drivers, it is often too late because the vehicle has already been detected by the police detection equipment. However, officials from the relevant Government Departments are considering what action might be taken to make their use illegal since they are likely to incite drivers to speed in the belief that they will avoid detection and prosecution.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions apply to the (a) sale and (b) use of devices to detect the presence of police enforcement radar at the road-side. [58830]

None apply. The police were, from time to time, bringing prosecutions for use under section 5(b) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 until a recent Divisional Court judgment held that police speed detection equipment does not fall within the meaning of that section.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take following the statement by the Chief Constable of Manchester relating to racism in his police force. [59072]

Individual chief officers of police are responsible for ensuring that they deliver their services fairly to all sections of society. More generally, this is a matter which is currently being considered by the inquiry which my right hon. Friend set up into matters arising from the tragic death of Stephen Lawrence and it would not be appropriate for me to comment in advance of the report of that inquiry.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to London councils on dietary and housing provisions for asylum workers. [58953]

I have been asked to reply.We have not issued guidance of this kind to local authorities. It is for individual local authorities to assess the need for services in each case and to decide on the kind and level of services provided.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to ensure hostels for asylum seekers are adequately funded and regulated. [58954]

I have been asked to reply.Special grants will be made available to local authorities in 1998–99 to reimburse them towards their costs in accommodating asylum seekers. How and where local authorities provide accommodation for asylum seekers are matters for the individual authority concerned. However, local authorities would need to be satisfied that any accommodation provided was suitable, having regard to the needs of the asylum seekers concerned.

To ask the President of the Council when she will publish the Government's proposals for improving the arrangements for the Parliamentary scrutiny of European business; and if she will make a statement. [59592]

I have today published a White Paper entitled "The Scrutiny of European Business" (Cm 4095) and placed copies in the Libraries of both Houses. This document confirms the Government's commitment to effective scrutiny by Parliament of business across all three pillars of European Union activity, and sets out the key elements for an enhanced system. I have today also announced that a debate will be held on Tuesday 17 November to approve the procedural changes outlined in the White Paper, which the Government hope can be introduced from the beginning of the next Parliamentary Session.

To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee when he expects the CD-ROM version of the Official Report for the remainder of the 1997–98 session to be made available to hon. Members; and what steps he is taking to reduce the time between the end of a Session and the release of the corresponding CD-ROM. [59398]

The CD-ROM version of the Official Report for the period from Easter 1998 until the summer recess will become available next month. The disk containing the proceedings for the remainder of the Session is expected to be produced by March 1999. Discussions with the Stationery Office as producers of the disk are currently taking place about ways of ensuring more expeditious production of the necessary data and improved methods of data quality control, both of which may contribute to reduced delivery times.

To ask the Prime Minister when he will reply to the letters of 26 October and 1 November from the right hon. Member for South-West Norfolk concerning the hon. Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale). [59493]

My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister replied on my behalf on 6 November 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what meetings have taken place of (a) the Action Committee and (b) the Film Finance Forum in respect of the film industry. [58485]

The Film Policy Action Committee has met three times since it was set up in April 1998 to oversee the implementation of the recommendations made in the document "A Bigger Picture". It is due to meet again on 25 November 1998.We expect to make an announcement regarding the establishment of the Film Finance Forum shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the progress being made by local authorities in preparing early years development plans. [58877]

All Local Education Authorities in England have Early Years Development Plans for 1998–99, demonstrating how the maintained, private and voluntary sectors will provide a free, high quality, early education place for all four year-olds in their area whose parents want one. Plans which extend to child care will be drawn up for 1999–2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the use of specialist teachers of home economics to prepare young people as home leaders. [58961]

Home economics is not a discrete subject within the National Curriculum and is largely dealt with under the umbrella of National Curriculum design and technology. National Curriculum design and technology covers a great deal of ground, and the main need now is for generalist teachers who are able to teach across the breadth of the subject. However, many currently practising teachers have had a background in home economics training.Likewise, home leadership is not a discrete subject within the National Curriculum, although there is a formal defined requirement for there to be a balanced and broadly based curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils and which prepares such pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of parents in Doncaster Borough, when selecting a secondary school, obtain (a) their first preference, (b) their second preference and (c) neither. [59311]

This information is not collected centrally. Doncaster local education authority has informed my Department that 97 per cent. of parents gained a place for their child at their first preference secondary school for admission in September 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of (a) the Bursary Scheme for Student Teachers, (b) the Priority Subject Recruitment Scheme, (c) the Shortage Subject Support Scheme and (d) the Priority Subject Recruitment Scheme in Wales; and what research he has commissioned on financial support for trainee teachers. [59169]

[holding answer 11 November 1998]: We keep incentive schemes under constant review. The Priority Subject Recruitment Scheme was established in 1996, building on lessons learnt from the Bursary Scheme for Student Teachers. Similarly, the new Secondary Subject Shortage Scheme, which is intended to enable trainee teachers who would otherwise not be able to do so to start or continue a course, is being monitored by the Teacher Training Agency, who administer the scheme. Evaluation plans are currently being developed for the substantial new financial incentives for maths and science students to be introduced next year, which were announced by my hon. Friend the Minister for School Standards on 27 October 1998. Regular surveys of students' income and expenditure are carried out by my Department. The Priority Subject Recruitment Initiative is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the areas of responsibility within his Department which have seen the largest real-terms increase in spending since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement on the outcomes. [59458]

The areas which have seen the greatest increases in spending in real terms between 1996–97 and the plans for the current financial year are: schools capital (including the New Deal for Schools); specialist schools; local government education standard spending; and the new programmes on class size reduction; on literacy and the National Grid for Learning within the Standards Fund; and the New Deals within the Welfare to Work programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will assess the proposals contained in the Equal Opportunities Commission report, Equality in the 21st Century, as a model for a proposed disability rights commission; and if he will make a statement. [59489]

The Government have completed their consultation exercise on the role and functions of the Disability Rights Commission and the responses are currently being considered. The proposals were based largely on the recommendations provided by the Disability Rights Task Force before Easter. The Government have recently received the Equal Opportunities Commission's wide-ranging proposals for changes to the law. These will be considered carefully and the Government will have regard to their relevance to the Disability Rights Commission. Legislation to create the Disability Rights Commission will be introduced as soon as the parliamentary timetable allows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to allow parents at feeder schools to grammar schools to take part in any ballots to decide the future of the grammar schools; how he defines a feeder school; what plans he has to extend the ballot to parents of children at other primary and secondary schools; and if he will make a statement. [59389]

Our proposals setting out how parents might participate in any ballot about whether grammar schools should cease to have selective admission arrangements are set out in the draft Education (Grammar School Ballots) Regulations 1998. The regulations were laid before Parliament on 21 October and are due to be debated by both Houses within the next few days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to review the system of inspection for independent schools; and if he will make a statement. [59359]

I announced on 29 July new arrangements for regular educational inspection, with published reports and follow-up action, both for schools in the Independent Schools Council associations and for others with pupils assisted from public funds. Educational inspection of the remaining mainstream independent schools will be covered in our forthcoming review of the statutory registration and monitoring system. Inspection of children's welfare in independent boarding schools will be improved in the ways set out in the Government's Response to the Children's Safeguards Review (Cm 4105), a copy of which is in the Library.

Region	April	May	June	July	August	September	Total
Northern	226,277	337,921	512,866	716,469	1,108,541	1,252,371	4,154,445
Yorks and the Humber	400,448	757,637	1,384,827	1,820,674	1,691,456	1,691,456	7,393,126
East Midlands	309,145	315,978	471,865	539,282	961,751	1,044,162	3,642,183
London and the South East	964,092	1,033,055	1,745,945	1,179,937	2,742,943	3,137,462	10,803,434
South West	366,938	429,345	616,450	598,211	769,125	1,329,493	4,109,562
Wales	286,573	296,611	511,404	553,239	676,248	860,136	3,184,211
West Midlands	306,253	350,759	578,293	471,201	702,203	913,536	3,322,245
North West	553,491	590,675	919,505	1,102,491	1,521,832	1,660,899	6,348,893
Scotland	466,441	455,406	668,122	666,744	883,248	1,050,586	4,190,547
Total	3,879,658	4,567,387	7,362,534	7,212,401	11,186,565	12,940,101	47,148,646

This is in addition to the centrally managed funds for Capital and Marketing expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of looked-after children educated in care homes with education have been diagnosed with (a) psychiatric and (b) emotional and behaviour problems, (i) currently, and (ii) in the last three years. [59209]

Information is collected centrally on the anonymised care histories of children who are looked after. Although this includes placement information, it does not record details of the child's medical or psychiatric history.A national survey of the mental health of children is being conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and will collect data in the Spring of 1999. The ONS are also to undertake a feasibility study in 1999 to determine whether a similar survey can be conducted focusing on "looked after" children as a separate group.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will grant an extension to the Kingston Communications PTO licence in accordance with the recommendation of the Director General of Telecommunications. [56034]

The Secretary of State will consider a licence application from Kingston Communications in the usual manner and advice on the applications will be sought from the Director General of Telecommunications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list (a) by month and (b) by region, expenditure on the New Deal for young people during 1998 up to the most recent available date. [59166]

Expenditure that has been brought to account for the delivery of the new deal for young people, up to the 30 September in total is £47.14 million. This is broken down by the seven ES regions and Scotland and Wales as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements exist to involve his Department in the negotiations being undertaken by the Department of Health on the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme. [58325]

The Department of Health is conducting the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme negotiations on behalf of HMG. DTI and other Ministers were consulted in advance on the terms of the negotiation and will be similarly consulted prior to conclusion of the negotiations. In the interim DTI is kept informed of developments as member of an official level DH-chaired interdepartmental group.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the amount per head of population of selective assistance, and EU economic regional assistance (a) in Stoke-on-Trent and (b) in the West Midlands in each of the last three years. [58834]

The figures in the following tables show the amount of Regional Selective Assistance grant offered and accepted in the West Midlands Assisted Area (WMAA) and the amount per head. There are no separate RSA figures for Stoke-on-Trent which is not part of the WMAA and companies based there are not therefore eligible for RSA. The amount of European Structural Funds approved in programmes available in Stoke-on-Trent—Objective 2, Rechar, Objective 3 and Objective 4 has been collected within the most appropriate recording area—North Staffordshire—and compared to that in the West Midlands Region. No ESF figures were readily available for 1996 and 1997.

Regional selective assistance
Year	Grant offered (£)	Population (million)	Amount per head (£)
1996	23,904,900	5.3	4.51
1997	53,460,000	5.3	10.09
1998	34,340,000	5.3	6.48

European structural funds
	Grant approved (£)		Population		Amount per head (£)
Year	Nstaffs	WM	Nstaffs	WM	Nstaffs	WM
ERDF (£ million)
19961	17.956	165.544	254,000	5.3	70.69	31.23
19971	1.199	12.094	254,000	5.3	4.72	2.28
19982	1.573	61.289	254,000	5.3	6.19	11.56
ESF (£ million)
1996	—	27.704	254,000	5.3	—	5.23
1997	—	10.203	254,000	5.3	—	1.93
1998	1.171	60.349	254,000	5.3	4.61	11.39
1 ESF information is available only from centrally held databases in the ESF Unit. Information has been requested but provided only for Objective 2 and Rechar on a regional basis in time for the deadlines for this exercise. Figures do not therefore contain the amounts approved in Objective 3 at all. Objective 4 was not available in the UK unit 1998.
2 ESF regionalisation has allowed the incorporation of ESF in all programmes including Objective 4 which has been available only from 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total cost of the Minister for Trade's visit to Cuba on 2 and 3 November, including air fare, hotel and subsistence for him and his accompanying officials. [58559]

[holding answer 9 November, 1998]: The total cost of my visit to Cuba and Colombia from 2–4 November including two accompanying officials was £9,985.85.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which members of the Cuban Government the Minister for Trade met during his visit on 2 and 3 November. [58560]

[holding answer 9 November 1998]: During my visit to Cuba, I met the following 19 members of the Cuban Government (listed in chronological order):

Excmo Sr (His Excellency) Orlando Hernández Guillén, Viceministro, Ministerio de Comercio Exterior (MINCEX)

Excmo Sr Francisco Soberón Valdés, Ministro-Presidente, Banco Central de Cuba

Sr Sergion Plasencia, Vicepresidente, Banco Central de Cuba

Excmo Sr José Luis Rodríguez, Miembro de Consejo de Estado y Ministro, Ministerio de Economía y Planificación

Excmo Sr Manuel Millares Rodríguez, Ministro, Ministerio de Finanzas y Precios

Sr Rodrigo Malmierca, Viceministro, Ministerio para la Inversión

Extranjera y la Colaboración Económica (MINVEC)

Excmo Sra Isabel Allende Karam, Viceministra, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores (MINREX)

Excmo Dr. Carlos Gómez, Viceministro, Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnologia y Medio Ambiente (CITMA)

Excmo Sr Presidente de los Consejos de Estado y de Ministros Comandante en Jefe Doctor Fidel Castro Ruz

Excmo Sr Vicepresidente y Secretario del Consejo de Ministros y de su Comité Ejecutivo Doctor Carlos Lage Dávila

Excmo Sr Ibrahim Ferradaz, Ministro, MINVEC

Excmo Ing (Engineer) Marcos Portal, Miembro de Consejo de Estado y Ministro de Industria Básica (MINBAS)

Excmo Sr Francisco Rodriguez, Viceministro MINBAS

Excmo Sr Antonio de los Reyes Bermúdez, Viceministro MINBAS

Excmo Sr Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, Ministro, Ministerio del Comercio Exterior (MINCEX)

Excmo Sra Estrella Madrigal, Viceministra, MINCEX

Excma Sra María de los Angeles Flórez, Viceministra, MINREX

Sr Carlos Martinez Salsamendi, Presidente, Camara de Comercio de la Republica de Cuba

Excmo Sr Arg (Architect) Osmany Cienfuegos Gorriarán, Vicepresidente del Consejo de Ministros y Ministro, Ministerio de Turismo (MINTUR).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what account is taken of (a) transfer pricing policies between UK subsidiaries and overseas parent companies and (b) the accounting policies of companies when determining profitability for the purposes of regional grants. [58793]

The impact of a company's transfer pricing policies and accounting policies on profitability forecasts are taken fully into account when appraising applications for Regional Selective Assistance, particularly in relation to assessing project viability and overall economic benefit to the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in determining the future status of the Post Office, he will ensure that the existing network of main post offices is maintained. [58799]

The terms of reference of the current review are predicated on a public sector Post Office maintaining a nationwide network of post offices, as well as continuing to provide a universal postal service with a uniform tariff structure. At the start of the review the Post Office were asked to suspend their Crown Post Office conversion programme, so that the matter could be considered in the context of the review. The issues are now being drawn together and we hope to announce our conclusions shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the investment needs of the Post Office in each of the next five years. [59338]

The Post Office's investment needs for the coming years are being considered in the context of the current Post Office Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to require telecom providers to advertise their prices in a standard format. [59304]

The regulation of telecoms operators in the UK is a matter for Oftel. Oftel is encouraging the fixed link operators in the UK to finance the development of a pricing comparison model to provide residential consumers with information so they can compare what their telecoms bill would be with different telecoms suppliers.Twelve leading telecoms operators, including BT and the leading cable companies, are participating in the development process with Oftel. The intention is that when successfully developed the model will be used to publish price comparisons and that the first figures should be available next year.The Government therefore have no plans to require Oftel to oblige operators to publish comparative pricing information as Oftel is already facilitating this with the industry's co-operation and agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Consumer Affairs Council held on 3 November. [59968]

The Council discussed but did not reach a common position on a decision regarding the funding of Community activities in favour of consumers for 1999–2003 because of disagreement on the overall budget. The Austrian Presidency will try to reach agreement before the new year.The Council agreed resolutions on the consumer dimensions of the information society and on the need for clear operating instructions to accompany technical consumer goods. An open debate was held on preparations Member States were making for the Euro.There was also an exchange of views on the issues Member States would like to see in the Commission Action Plan for Consumer Policy Priorities 1999–2001. The Commission indicated they propose to issue a plan in late November.The Commission gave brief presentations on their proposed directive on the Distance Selling of Financial Services and on their information campaign on consumer health and food safety. A list of the 'A' points approved at the Council has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment he has made of the appropriateness of the World Trade Organisation as the forum in which to conduct future negotiations on a multilateral agreement on investment; [59182](2) if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on a multinational agreement on investment. [59257]

It now looks most unlikely that negotiations on the multilateral agreement on investment (MAI) will resume. The Government remain committed to the development of international rules on investment. Our assessment is that the World Trade Organisation is an appropriate forum to develop such a framework, and this view is shared by our EU partners. However, any WTO negotiation must be on the basis of a fresh agenda that takes proper account of social, environmental and development issues.

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Lord Chancellor will issue a practice direction for trials involving child witnesses to simplify court dress and language. [58671]

The Government are urgently considering responses to the report, "Speaking up for Justice", published on 10 June 1998, which made recommendations covering these points. The Government hope to make an announcement shortly on how they intend to take this work forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish a breakdown of the content of unauthorised emissions from United Kingdom commercial aerobic/anaerobic digesters since January 1996. [56747]

Aerobic and anaerobic digestion is used throughout the United Kingdom in processes such as the treatment of sewage sludge and biodegradable, industrial, organic effluents (eg from food processing). These processes produce mainly carbon dioxide, methane and ammonia together with trace organic compounds. In the anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge, the methane is normally burnt to produce heat and power. The emissions into air from these processes are not the subject of specific controls. In consequence, it is not feasible to provide a breakdown of the content of unauthorised emissions.The aerobic digestion (composting) of garden waste etc. is subject to waste management controls. The activity generally takes place in the open and potentially harmful emissions are controlled by operational procedures and conditions on siting.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the capital investment in publicly owned and other social housing at 1994–95 prices in (a) 1979–80, (b) 1984–85, (c) 1989–90 and (d) 1994–95; and what is the amount planned for 1999–2000. [58591]

Figures for gross housing capital expenditure by local authorities (excluding grants to the private sector and mortgage lending) and through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme are as follows. Future levels of housing capital expenditure by local authorities reflect the programmes decided by authorities in the light of allocations from central government and the amount of their own resources (e.g. useable capital receipts, contributions from revenue) that they choose to use. The Government's spending plans for 1999–2000 include around £1.03 billion (£0.899 billion at 1994–95 prices) for local authority housing capital expenditure (other than allocations specifically for private sector grants); the corresponding figure for 1994–95 was

Gross housing capital expenditure by local authorities (excluding grants to the private sector, and mortgage lending), and by the Housing Corporation in England
£ million
	Cash figures			1994–95 price levels
Year	Local authorities	Housing Corporation	Total	Local authorities	Housing Corporation	Total
1979–80	2,186	400	2,586	5,372	983	6,355
1984–85	2,377	697	3,074	3.831	1,123	4,954
1989–90	4,515	935	5,450	5,562	1,152	6,714
1994–95	2,198	1,530	3,728	2,198	1,530	3,728
1999–2000	n/a	1795	n/a	n/a	694	n/a
1 Includes around £150 million (£131 million at 1994–95 prices) for Estates Renewal Challenge Fund grant payments to registered social landlords which have been administered by the Housing Corporation since January 1998

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the compliance cost assessments published by his Department since 1 May 1997. [58280]

[holding answer 5 November 1998]: Compliance cost assessments published by my Department between 1 May 1997 and 31 May 1998 were listed in my answer to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley) on 30 July 1998, Official Report, columns 430-32.Between 1 June 1998 and 31 October 1998, 21 compliance cost assessments and regulatory impact assessments have been published by my Department. These are:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the cost of dealing with the backlog of maintenance on (a) trunk roads and motorways and (b) local authority roads. [58702]

[holding answer 9 November 1998]: The Highways Agency estimates that some £300m per annum (1998–99 prices) is required for capital maintenance works to ensure that the condition of trunk roads does not worsen. This contrasts with the figures of £226m spent in 1996–97 and £219m in 1997–98 (Highways Agency Annual Reports). The allocation made in the Comprehensive Spending Review will be sufficient to enable us progressively to tackle the resulting backlog.There is no central government estimate of a backlog of maintenance on local authority roads. The outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review was an increase of £46m in each of the next three financial years in the Highways Maintenance Standards Spending Assessment which forms part of the calculation of Revenue Support Grant to local authorities. Local authority spending on non-principal road maintenance is funded entirely from this grant and local taxation. It is for the authorities to determine the level of expenditure necessary on these roads.Maintenance of local authority principal roads is supported by resources from the local transport capital settlement. This funding is given following consideration of the bids made in each authority's Transport Policies and Programme submission. I am planning to announce the settlement for 1999–2000 in December.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he proposes to ensure that bus lanes are properly enforced. [59482]

Responsibility for proper enforcement of bus lanes is a matter for the Police. Local Transport Note 1/97, Keeping Buses Moving, provides clear advice on enforcement. Decriminalised parking enforcement in London has resulted in a better level of enforcement, and is an option open to other local authorities to pursue to support the police.My Department's role is to investigate promising methods for improving the effectiveness of enforcement and disseminating the results to the police and local authorities. In this context, London-wide implementation of the use of video camera technology for enforcement of bus lanes is in progress following successful trials. The police and local authorities elsewhere may wish to consider the possibility of such an approach in their areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce measures to encourage the development of environmentally safe technologies. [58602]

My Department encourages business to manage its environmental performance responsibly, using a systematic approach and reporting publicly on performance. The Research Councils support research into new technologies. The Energy Efficiency and Environmental Technology Best Practice Programmes also support collaborative R&D projects and demonstrate the benefits of applying new technologies, and they promote existing good practice technologies and techniques. Environmental regulations, including implementation of the EC Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive, will continue to require industry to use best available techniques, taking account of the costs and benefits. The DETR/DTI Joint Environmental Markets Unit sponsors the environmental technology industry and supports export initiatives. The effectiveness of these programmes and measures is monitored and kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to ensure the security and reliability of the smart card technology under consideration by EU transport ministers for the monitoring of HGV drivers' hours. [58712]

In agreeing the framework European Union (EU) Regulation to pave the way for the use of digital tachographs, the Government secured an amendment which requires the type-approval for the system to ensure that it is capable of resisting attempts to alter the drivers' hours data. Such tests must be carried out by experts familiar with up to date tampering techniques. The technical specification for the proposed system is now being worked up by a technical committee comprising all EU Member States. I can assure my hon. Friend that security remains our paramount concern and that we will continue to do all that we can to ensure that the proposed system is as secure as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the areas of responsibility within the Department which have seen the largest real terms increase in spending since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement on the outcomes. [59456]

The Government took the decision on coming to office that they would retain the previous Administration's spending plans for 1997–98 and 1998–99. Only relatively minor adjustments to the Department's spending plans, therefore, will have occurred in respect of expenditure up to date.The Government were able, however, to announce the results of their Comprehensive Spending Review in July this year and this made significant adjustments to the Department's spending plans for 1999–2000 onwards. Details are set out in the White Paper "Modernising Public Services for Britain: Investing in Reform (Cm 4011) presented to the House in July 1998.The White Paper makes it clear that there will be a total real terms increase in the Department's spending of over 18 per cent. between 1998–99 and 2001–02. This represents an underlying real terms increase of 34 per cent. after taking account of the one-off consequences of existing rail franchise contracts, the new Public-Private Partnership for London Underground and the revised Channel Tunnel Rail Link concession. Within these totals there will be major increases for expenditure on improving energy efficiency (a real terms increase of nearly 90 per cent.), housing (nearly 50 per cent.) and regeneration (37 per cent.). There will be significant real terms increases to other programmes too.The key expected outcomes from the Department's programmes are set out in the White Paper. Further information on targets will be included in the Public Service Agreements which the Government intend to publish shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he intends to set local targets for (a) improving air quality, (b) improving road safety, (c) improving public transport and (d) road traffic reductions. [59497]

With regard to (a), the Air Quality Regulations 1997 set air quality objectives for seven pollutants, to be achieved by 2005. Authorities are required to review and assess air quality to determine whether these objectives are likely to be met. Where it appears that these objectives are unlikely to be achieved, the authority must declare an air quality management area.In general, it will be for local authorities to set targets on the basis of national targets (where these exist) and advice from the Department. Local transport plans will need to include an appropriate set of targets and indicators for measuring the extent to which plan objectives are being met. The Department is today issuing draft guidance for local authorities on local transport plans. This advises on the use of targets, including those relating to relevant statutory provisions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he proposes to make decision-making on transport more accountable to local people. [59499]

The White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone", has established the national policy framework to produce a transport system which is safe, efficient, clean and fair. Delivery of the policy depends, to a large extent, on action at a local level and local transport plans will be essential building blocks of the new deal for transport. The Government attach a high priority to effective public involvement, which will be a key feature of local transport plans. Our wider proposals for modernising local government will increase the accountability and responsiveness of authorities more generally. Transport users and local authority interests will also be involved in the Commission for Integrated Transport, which will be advising Ministers on decisions on transport at the national level.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has had from train operating companies concerning the renegotiation of their franchise. [59501]

Connex South Central has made formal representations for an extension of its franchise to the Franchising Director, which he refused on value for money grounds. Great North Eastern Railways has approached both the Franchising Director and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for a franchise extension and this is still being evaluated. In several other cases, additional passenger benefits have been negotiated arising, for example, from breaches of existing contracts and from changes of control.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the Government's policy on the renegotiation of rail franchises; and if he will list the criteria by which franchise extensions will be granted or put out to open tender. [59500]

We are prepared to renegotiate franchises where this would provide additional benefits for passengers and represent good value for the taxpayer. Criteria will be published in due course. Following the objectives, Instructions and Guidance which we issued in November last year, the Franchising Director has already been able to negotiate additional passenger benefits arising, for example, from breaches of existing contracts and from changes of control.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he proposes to deal with the problem of sky glow from street lighting. [59498]

There are no statutory controls on street lighting and we have no plans to introduce any at this stage. Street lighting is the responsibility of the highway authority concerned.Good design, installation and maintenance practices can do much to reduce the adverse environmental impacts of street lighting. My Department has issued advice on this subject in "Road Lighting and the Environment" and, with the Countryside Commission, has published a guide "Lighting in the Countryside: Towards Good Practice". Both of these refer to ways of reducing light pollution and sky glow. Much of the advice contained in the latter document is equally applicable in urban areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many bus passenger miles were travelled in the United Kingdom each year since 1979. [59496]

The following table summarises the available published data, in passenger kilometres travelled on buses and coaches, for Great Britain:

	Billion passenger kilometres
1979	56
1980	52
1981	48
1982	48
1983	48
1984	48
1985	49
1986	47
1987	47
1988	46
1989	47
1990	46
1991	44
1992	43
1993	44
1994	44
1995	44
1996	44
1997	43

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the United Kingdom's total commitment to the funding of the EU Trans European Network programme; and what is the TEN funding to which the United Kingdom will be entitled. [59495]

The United Kingdom's total contribution to EU finances is not hypothecated to individual programmes such as the transport Trans European Network (TEN) programme. In common with the other 14 Member States, the United Kingdom has no automatic entitlement to TEN funding. However, we have, as detailed in my reply of 3 November 1998, Official Report, columns 465-66, been successful in securing awards of TEN funding since the commencement of the transport TEN programme in 1995, and expect that we shall continue to be successful in securing funds for United Kingdom projects and studies in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what trials have been carried out to determine whether cement kilns can safely burn tyres. [59479]

The Environment Agency has regulated tyre-burning trials at the following cement works: Blue Circle Cauldon, Northfleet and Westbury. Currently, Cauldon is authorised to burn chipped tyres on a continuous basis and has done so for around four years. Northfleet successfully conducted trials in late 1996 but has yet to apply for permission to burn them on a continuous basis. At Westbury three trials have taken place. Despite the earlier Westbury trials being successful in reducing overall emissions to the environment, the third trial resulted in a breach of one of the authorisation conditions. As a consequence the Agency took enforcement action and the trial was, and continues to be, suspended.Castle Cement's Ketton works was authorised to undertake trial burning of tyres in July 1998 and it is anticipated that trials will commence in January 1999.Historically, Blue Circle's Hope and Weardale works and Rugby Cement's Rochester works have burned tyres. Hope works is applying to burn tyres on a trial basis but Weardale and Rochester works are not currently authorised to burn tyres on either a trial or continuous basis.The results of all the trials can be found on the public registers which are maintained for each IPC process and which can be inspected at the Agency's regional offices and the relevant local authority offices.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what statutory provisions govern the mixing or blending on site at cement works of (a) cemfuel and (b) other products derived from recovered solvents before being fed directly into the kiln. [59477]

As a waste recovery operation the blending or mixing of waste solvents to produce secondary liquid fuels, including `cemfuel', for cement kilns falls subject to the provisions of the EC Framework Directive on waste (75/442 EEC as amended). The Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 are the main means by which we have implemented that Directive.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to implement the proposal contained in the McKinsey report on granting planning permission to out of town large retail stores. [59460]

The Government continue to be committed to the revitalisation of town centres and to the policies set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 6.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of his Department's compliance with paragraphs 44 and 46 of the Ministerial Code in respect of the hon. Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale). [59492]

My hon. Friend the Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale) has not contravened these or any other provisions of the Ministerial Code which governs the conduct of Ministers and Parliamentary Private Secretaries.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what targets London Transport has been set for 1998–99. [59965]

Tables showing the targets London Transport has been set for 1998/99 are as follows. All targets relate to average performance throughout the year.

London Underground
	1997–98	1998–99
Excess journey time (mins)	n/a	16.25
Escalators:
% of scheduled service hours operated	93.0	91.4
Lifts:	96.0	293.8
% of scheduled service hours operated
Reliability of service:
% kilometres operated	96.9	96.9

London Underground
	1997–98	1998–99
Train service regularity:
% planned intervals achieved	95.9	n/a
Ticket Purchase:
% of customers queueing less than 3 minutes	98.0	n/a
Customer satisfaction ratings:
Train and station cleanliness	69	69
Security and safety	83	83
Staff helpfulness and availability	70	70
Train and station information	75	75
Train service	77	77
Financial targets	5—	£10.28
Operating costs per train km3	5—	£310.0m
LUL gross margin4
1 This is a new target replacing previous targets on train service headways and ticket office queues. See note below for details.
2 See below for explanation of lower targets in 1998–99 than in 1997–98.
3 Costs per operated train kilometre to exclude depreciation, renewals, restructuring and PFI costs.
4 LUL gross margin before depreciation, renewals, restructuring and PFI costs.
5 Financial targets were set in 1996 over a three year period i.e. to be achieved in 1998–99. The figures shown in the 1998–99 column reflect the original targets, revalued at 1998–99 prices.

L.T. Buses
	1997–98	1998–99
Reliability of service:	99	99
% kilometres operated
Excess wait on high frequency routes (mins)	1.5	1.4
Departures on time:
% on low frequency routes	74	77
Early departures:	4.0	3.4
% on low frequency routes
Night bus:
% departures on time	65	70
Customer satisfaction ratings1
Condition of bus stops and shelters	57	76
Internal cleanliness of buses	63	83
External cleanliness of buses	55	78
Staff helpfulness	66	87
Bus station environment	71	76
Bus station information	68	68
Financial targets
Subsidy per bus km2	3— Not more than	6.53p
L.T. Buses gross loss4	3— Not more than	£21.7m
1 These targets have been recalibrated for 1998–99 and so are not directly comparable to previous years.
2 Net subsidy per operated bus kilometre before depreciation, renewals, restructuring and PFI costs.
3 Financial targets were set in 1996 over a three year period i.e. to be achieved in 1998–99. The figures shown in the 1998–99 column reflect the original targets, revalued at 1998–99 prices.
4 L.T. Buses gross loss before depreciation, renewals, restructuring and PFI costs.

Other Services
	1997–98	1998–99
Customer satisfaction ratings:
Travel information call centre— ease of reaching Enquiry service	n/a	77
Travel information call centre— operator helpfulness	n/a	91
Dial-a-Ride—percentage of calls answered first time	n/a	20

Other Services
	1997–98	1998–99
Dial-a Ride—percentage of punctual arrivals	n/a	93
Financial targets
Group services gross loss1	2— Not more than	£23.4m
Property rental income growth3	2—	IPD index
Dial-a-Ride cost per trip	2—	£10.80
1 Includes Victoria Coach Station, Unit for Disabled Passengers, PASS and L.T. Museum but excludes Bus Insurance Liability costs. To be amended to reflect transfer of PASS to the private sector following the signing of Prestige.
2 Financial target were set in 1996 over a three year period i.e. to he achieved in 1998–99. The figures shown in the 1998–99 column reflect the original targets, revalued at 1998–99 prices.
3 To be at least as good as the average shown by the IPD index (Investment Property Databank Index) on a three year rolling basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what items will be on the agenda for his next meeting with the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs under the provisions of the Brussels Agreement on Gibraltar. [58817]

We have not yet settled with the Spanish authorities the details of the next Brussels Process meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has evaluated for the future sovereignty of Gibraltar. [58815]

We have said we are studying the proposals Spain made at the Brussels Process meeting last December concerning the future status of Gibraltar and that we will reply in due course. We have also reaffirmed that we stand firmly by the commitment in the 1969 Constitution that there can be no change in sovereignty over Gibraltar without the consent of the people of Gibraltar.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he has for improving the status of Gibraltar within the European Union. [58816]

Gibraltar's status within the European Union is based on Article 227(4) of the Treaty of Rome which provides for the application of that treaty to

"the European territories for whose external relations a Member State is responsible".

However, in view of Gibraltar's particular geographical and economic circumstances, it was agreed at the time of the UK's accession in 1973 that Gibraltar would be excluded from three areas of Community policy. These are the Community Customs Territory, which takes Gibraltar out of the Common Commercial Policy as far as trade in goods is concerned, the obligation to impose a Value Added Tax, and the Common Agricultural and Fisheries policies. There are no plans to change this status.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy on the establishment of an ad hoc committee on nuclear disarmament (a) with and (b) without a negotiating mandate at the Conference on Disarmament; and if he will make a statement. [59148]

We believe that the Conference on Disarmament should focus on negotiating Fissile Material Cut-off, which appears to be the maximum extent of consensus at present achievable, rather than attempting to negotiate a convention on nuclear disarmament at this time. We will nonetheless play a full part in consultations as one of the CD Presidential Troika to examine further approaches to other aspects of nuclear disarmament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's position towards the UN resolution, Towards a Nuclear Weapons Free World: the need for a New Agenda, currently under consideration by the UN First Committee on Disarmament and International Security. [59147]

We oppose the current draft of this resolution, which we have considered carefully, since it is inconsistent with maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent. We remain ready to support measures that will make a practical contribution to advancing nuclear disarmament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the detention without trial in Mirpur of Ghazanfer Ali. [59093]

I raised Mr. Ali's case with Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry of "Azad" Kashmir on 19 May and made clear our concern that he should receive a speedy and fair trial. On 31 October Mr. Ali was acquitted on one charge of murder and ordered by the Judge to pay Rupees 325,000 in respect of another. He has now been released.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he has taken consequent upon the decision adopted by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on 17 September regarding the detention of George Atkinson in Dubai. [58874]

Our Consul General in Dubai delivered a Note Verbale to the Dubai Government on 10 November asking, in view of the decision of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, if it will release George Atkinson from detention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which (a) regional languages and (b) minority languages in the United Kingdom will be selected in accordance with the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. [59288]

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, Central, (Mr. Fatchett), on 4 June 1998, Official Report, column 350. The Charter does not distinguish between regional languages and minority languages.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total cost to public funds of claims by employees and the public for compensation in respect of (a) personal injury and (b) employment protection in the latest year for which figures are available. [59056]

We settled a total of five such claims made by our employees or former employees in 1997. The costs were £8,053.43 for three personal injury claims and £17,930.25 for two claims relating to employment protection.There were no claims in respect of the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Bridges into the Future strategy. [58823]

We have implemented the recommendations outlined in "Bridges into the Future" through a series of initiatives including a Recruitment Fair and an Open Day aimed specifically at members of minority ethnic communities, targeted recruitment campaigns, a series of Community Fora, the introduction of a mentoring scheme and training for staff on managing diversity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average time taken for the processing of (a) marriage visas and (b) settlement visas at (i) Bombay and (ii) Delhi. [58824]

The average waiting time for an interview (over the last 10 months) for consideration of (a) marriage and (b) settlement visa applications, in Bombay and new Delhi is as follows:

	Bombay	New Delhi
Marriage (applications from fiance(e)s) visas	10 weeks	24 weeks
Settlement visas:
Dependent relatives over 65 and compassionate cases	Same day	Same day
Spouses and other categories	19 weeks	12 weeks

Successful applicants receive their visa once a medical examination, which normally takes between 7 and 10 working days to arrange, has been completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he proposes to issue new guidance for visitors' visas. [59074]

Guidance to Entry Clearance Officers on assessing applications for visitors visas is contained in the entry clearance volume of Diplomatic Service Procedure. It is continuously reviewed and updated as necessary. We intend to publish a disclosable version of this guidance to ECOs as soon as is practicable.Guidance to applicants is contained in an information leaflet. Revisions are undertaken when necessary. The most recent version was issued in August 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultation period will follow the publication of the White Paper on Overseas Territories. [59453]

A date has not yet been set to enact the necessary legislation but the Government will ensure that there is adequate time for all interested parties to present their views before legislation is proposed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to convene a conference of chief ministers and members of legislatures of overseas territories. [59437]

In order to create a stronger, more structured dialogue between Britain and the Overseas Territories we will convene an annual Overseas Territories Council, which will provide a forum for the Chief Ministers and Councillors to raise their concerns directly with Ministers. The first Council will be held before next year's Commonwealth Head of Government meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 2 November 1998, Official Report, column 414, relating to Executive Council meetings on St. Helena if he will give the names of those attending the meeting on 16 June; if they were voting or non-voting members; if proxy members were asked to attend; and how the quorum was obtained. [59452]

The following Members of Executive Council attended the meeting held on 16 June:

• The Chief Secretary (Mr. Michael Clancy)
• The Acting Financial Secretary (Mr. Desmond Wade)
• The Attorney General (Mr. Kurt de Freitas, OBE)
• The Hon. Eric W. George
• The Hon. Terrance F. Richards.

All, except for the Attorney General, may vote in Executive Council. There is no provision in the Constitution for proxies. Section 8(2) of the St. Helena Constitution Order, 1989 provides that no business except that of adjournment shall be transacted by the Executive Council if objection is taken by any Member present that there are less than five members present (excluding any member presiding in the absence of the Governor). A quorum can thus effectively be considered as five.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the UK has been asked to render to the Russian Government in tracing illegal currency transfers out of Russia. [59275]

[holding answer 10 November 1998]: I have been asked to reply.Earlier this year, the National Criminal Intelligence Service received a request from the Russian Interior Ministry for assistance in tracing assets suspected of being linked to organised crime. The request was made in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding concluded during a visit to London on 18 June 1998 by the Russian Interior Minister, Sergei Stepashin.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial support the European Youth Parliament has received from (a) United Kingdom public funds and (b) the EU; and if he will (i) list and (ii) place in the Library the documentation his Department has received from the parliament since 1 May 1997. [58732]

I have been asked to reply.The European Youth Parliament receives no direct Government funding. Funding by the EU is a matter for the European Commission. The Department has no record of receiving any documentation from the European Youth Parliament since 1 May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total allocation of funding for housing renovation grants made available to each district council and unitary authority in Wales for each of the years 1990 to 1998; and what was the proportion of the allocation spent in each case. [58348]

I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to publish the draft of the National Assembly for Wales Transfer of Functions Order. [59873]

I am pleased to announce that I have today placed in the Vote Office and the Library of the House the final draft of the Assembly Transfer of Functions Order. I am simultaneously issuing it for public consultation.The Order transfers virtually all of my functions to the National Assembly for Wales. It lists all the Acts of Parliament under which I currently exercise functions, and transfers those functions to the Assembly. Accompanying the Order is a Technical Guide which details all of the several thousand functions which we will transfer in this way. Copies of the Technical Guide are also in the Vote Office and the Library.My functions are numerous and wide-ranging, and this means that the Transfer Order and Technical Guide are weighty documents. This is a reflection of the fact that the Assembly will in turn have many important powers; moreover, specifying its functions in this way minimises the risk of future legal challenges as to its vires. I am, though, anxious that there should be widespread understanding about what the Assembly will be able to do. I am therefore also publishing today a short lay person's guide to the Assembly's powers, entitled "Making the Difference in Wales". Copies are, again, in the Vote Office and the Library.I have been committed from the outset to full transparency and openness in setting up the Assembly. That is why I am issuing this draft and allowing a period of three months for public consultation and comment. During this period, I should be happy to consider any suggestions, whether of a general or detailed nature, which hon. Members might have: the text as it stands is without prejudice to any such suggestions. The Order is, of course, not capable of amendment once it is laid in draft before the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to make adjustments to the distribution of revenue support grant for 1998–99 to local authorities in Wales. [59874]

An unfortunate error in the data used to determine individual authorities' standard spending assessments has been discovered. The effect is that one authority's revenue support grant entitlement should have been about £171,000 lower than originally calculated, and the grant for the other 21 authorities should have been a total of about £171,000 more. Whilst this represents a very small proportion of the revenue settlement this year, I consider it right and fair to correct the position through an amending report under section 84A of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. I intend that the report should be debated by the House next year; at the same time as the local government finance report for 1999–2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the areas of responsibility within his Office which have seen the largest real terms increase in spending since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement on the outcomes. [59457]

In Wales, in line with our Manifesto commitment, we have ensured that health and education have received the largest real terms increases in spending since we took office.For health, since July 1997, we have added more than £100 million in cash to the inherited plans and this has resulted in easing of pressures on the health and social care system last winter—and we have just announced more cash to provide similar support this coming winter; hospital activity has increased by 4 per cent.; training has continued for over 1,800 doctors and 2,000 nurses; additional staff have been made available for cancer services and there is a package of measures to tackle prescription fraud. It is also expected that in-patient and day-case waiting lists will be reduced to below the inherited level.For education, we have increased the previous Administration's spending plans by about £80 million. This has enabled us to start reducing infant class sizes, to begin the long process of improving the capital stock so neglected over the past few years, and to provide local authorities with funding for schools. We have also been able to begin to redress the underfunding of the Further Education sector in Wales, so that it can play its vital role in our lifelong learning strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales who authorised the release of water from the Elan Dams into the River Elan on the night of (a) 22 October and (b) 28 October; what quantity of water was released, and over what period of time. [59396]

Only the normal compensation discharge rate of 68 megalitres per day, together with a maximum 32 megalitres per day discharge for power generation, was released from the Elan Dams into the River Elan at the times specified. These releases were authorised by the Birmingham Corporation Water Act 1892 as amended by subsequent abstraction licences. Significantly larger quantities of water were spilling over the dams. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible with data on the combined quantities and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will publish hydrological hourly data from the Environment Agency on the (a) height and (b) velocity of flood water at points in the Brecon and Radnorshire constituency on the River Usk for the inclusive period 6pm on 22 October to Sam on 23 October; [59363](2) if he will publish hydrological data held by the Environment Agency giving the height and velocity of flood water at points in the Brecon and Radnorshire constituency on the River Wye from 6pm until 8am inclusive at hourly intervals on

Data are available from the Environment Agency on heights and flows in the Rivers Wye and Usk and their tributaries in the Brecon and Radnor constituency. I will send data covering the periods requested to the hon. Member and place a copy in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what quantity of water was released over what period of time from the Crai reservoir into a tributary of the River Usk on the night of Thursday 22 October; and who authorised the release. [59364]

Only the normal compensation discharge rate of just under 7 megalitres per day was released from the Crai Reservoir into the River Crai at the time specified. This is the statutory compensation flow rate authorised under the abstraction license. Significantly quantities of water were spilling over the reservoir dam. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible with data on the combined quantities and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to issue guidelines on the implications of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 in Scotland; and if he will place copies in the Library. [59321]

Detailed guidance for local authorities on the implications of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 was set out in the Scottish Office Development Department Circular 40/1996. It was issued on 27 November 1996 shortly before the Act came into effect in Scotland. Copies have been placed in the Library. Guidance on best practice is to be issued and copies will also be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the areas of responsibility within his Office which have seen the largest real terms increase in spending since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement on the outcomes. [59455]

Since 1 May 1997, I have concentrated on the Government's priority areas in Scotland of health, education and devolution. In addition, money has been found for debt redemption by Scottish Homes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what strategy he proposes to assist Scottish beef exporters re-gain market share once the ban on United Kingdom beef exports is lifted; and what discussions he has had with (a) the SNFU, (b) Scottish Enterprise and (c) the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food regarding such initiatives. [59328]

Recognising the importance of beef production to Scotland, we are working with the key sectors of the industry to help them prepare for re-entry to the export market as soon as exports can resume. This involves preparations for the operation of the Date-Based Export Scheme and investigation of potential markets for the export of beef and beef products. Scottish Office officials have been maintaining close contact with the organisations mentioned by the hon. Member and other bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to provide financial assistance to Scottish beef exporters for the promotion of Scottish beef in Europe following the lifting of the ban on United Kingdom beef exports. [59327]

Our top priority is the lifting of the beef export ban. The key to regaining European markets will be the supply of a premium product supported by rigorous quality assurance schemes at every stage of the production and marketing chain. The Government are already assisting the industry to ensure this is in place. Through their Scotch Beef Marketing and Quality Assurance Initiative, more than £4 million has been made available to the industry towards the establishment of these Schemes and development of the brand "Specially Selected Scotch Beef".The Government have also assisted the industry in commissioning a study to assess the opportunities for profitable sales of Scotch beef once the export ban is lifted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what proposals he has to increase the funding of habitat improvement works in Scottish river systems; what funds he currently makes available to fishery boards for such improvement works; and what the equivalent amounts have been for each of the last five years; [59329](2) if he will list his powers regarding habitat improvement works in Scottish river systems; and what proposals he has to alter these powers. [59330]

Responsibility for fisheries management in rivers rests with riparian owners and, where appropriate, District Salmon Fishery Boards. Scottish Natural Heritage also has certain responsibilities, particularly in the light of the Habitats Directive.Payments for measures to improve riparian habitats are available to agricultural enterprises under the Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Countryside Premium Schemes which are administered by The Scottish Office.Grants are also available from SNH for habitat improvement works in Scottish rivers. District Salmon Fishery Boards may participate in such works. Information on the sums Boards may have received is not available centrally.My right hon. Friend has no current proposal to alter his powers.